Absence of Kinetic and Cytogenetic Effects on Human Lymphocytes Exposed to Static Magnetic Fields

Abstract

Two experiments were performed to assay the influence of static magnetic fields on the kinetics and cytogenetics of lymphocyte cultures. Whole blood aliquots were exposed 3 hrs to 45 mT, after which the lymphocytes were cultured for 72 hrs. In the second experiment, lymphocytes were simultaneously cultured and exposed to 125 mT for 72 or 96 hrs. Some cultures were treated with 5,bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to quantify the frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and the percentage of cells that underwent one or more replications. BrdU decreased the mitotic index and raised the ratio of first-generation cells; the effects were dependent on concentration. Exposure to magnetic fields did not significantly change the frequencies of chromosome aberrations, SCE, or polyploidies. The mitotic index and cell generation distribution were unmodified in 8/10 and 7/8 experiments, respectively. The results suggest that moderately strong static magnetic fields do not affect genes.